Of the 60 mostly uninhabited islands
that make up the US Virgin Islands, the biggest and most visited
are St Thomas, St John and St Croix. Their appeal lies in the
amalgamation of the exotic and the recognisable, an island paradise
with modern comforts, and a balance between Caribbean culture and
American practicality.

The energetic capital of
Charlotte Amalie, with its attractive harbour, lies on St Thomas.
This island is the most Americanised of the chain, famous for its
world-class duty-free shopping. Nearby St John is an unspoilt
nature lover's paradise, with most of its forests, pristine beaches
and reefs part of a protected national park. The largest of the
islands is St Croix and its remoteness from the others, the
historic remnants scattered about the landscape, the pretty
Danish-influenced towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted, and the
snorkelling at nearby Buck Island are the attractions
here.

Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of
the Caribbean, these islands boast some of the most splendid
coastline in the world, with white sandy beaches, astonishing coral
reefs and pristine marine life, secluded coves, and untouched
rainforests rising up above the sea-swept landscape. Caribbean
colour touches every aspect of the islands, blending with the
strong Danish influence in the towns. White sails glide
effortlessly across the emerald waters; local craftsmen display
their unique island art along cobblestone alleyways; tiled villa
roofs provide a splash of red against the verdant hillside; busy
markets supply the essentials for a delicious cuisine; and the
sounds of folk songs and calypso bands fill the air.

The Virgin Islands being among the most popular cruise
ship destinations in the Caribbean has meant that the port towns of
Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Frederiksted are usually
swamped with newly arrived passengers in a frenzy of shopping and
dining. Main beaches are seldom deserted, and the key reef areas
are often a flurry of flippers and snorkels. Luxury resorts and
fine hotels share the streets with old colonial architecture. Yet
it is still possible to escape the crowds and find that bit of
elusive paradise, to relax away from the divers and sailors, the
sightseers, the ecological tour groups, and the
shoppers.

Basics

Time: GMT –4.Electricity: 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-flat-pin plugs are
standard.Money: The official currency is the US Dollar (USD)
divided into 100 cents. Most credit cards are accepted, including
American Express, Diners Club Mastercard and Visa, and are useful
for withdrawing cash at ATMs. Travellers cheques are widely
accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants provided they are in US
Dollars.Language: English is the official language. Spanish, Creole and
some French are also spoken.Passport/Visa Note: Entry requirements are the same as for the
United States of America. There is no immigration control for
visitors arriving from mainland USA. Visitors entering the country
under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) must have a machine-readable
passport (MRP) that has a bar code on the photo page. From 26
October 2006 eligible travellers under the VWP must include
biometrics in their machine-readable passports if they wish to
enter the country without a visa, containing unique personal data
such as fingerprints or iris details. All new passports issued on
or after 26 October 2005 must contain a digital photo image in
order to travel visa-free. Due to new security measures, all
visitors to the USA will have a photograph and two fingerprints
taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling
visa-free under the Visa Waiver
Programme.Health: Health risks include hepatitis A, bilharzia and
dengue fever. Only bottled water should be drunk outside the major
towns. Medical facilities are of a high standard, but health
insurance is vital as medical care is very
expensive.Tipping: Tipping of 15 to 20% percent is customary for
good service. Some hotels and restaurants automatically add a
service charge and room tax.Safety: Normal precautions apply, especially in the back
streets of towns at night. Don't leave valuables lying on the beach
when snorkelling or swimming.Business: Industry in the US Virgin Islands is based
primarily around tourism though petroleum refining takes place off
St. Croix. Like many other Caribbean countries, things are pretty
relaxed, and formal business attire is not considered necessary as
the climate makes this quite uncomfortable. The people are friendly
and polite and shaking hands is common with introductions for men
and women; business cards are handed out at introductions. Business
hours are typically 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with lunch breaks
around 12pm.Communications: The international country code for the US
Virgin Islands is +1 340 and the code for dialling out
internationally is 011 (followed by the relevant country code, for
example 01144 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not
required. The AT & T Wireless GSM 1900 mobile network
covers the islands. Internet cafes are available in the main
resorts.Duty Free: Travellers to the Virgin Islands who are
residents of the USA follow the same regulations that apply to the
United States. Gifts and alcohol brought into the Virgin Islands by
non-residents is not exempt from duty.Activities

Diving and snorkelling

Scuba divers and snorkellers will find
endless opportunities along the reefs surrounding the islands of St
Thomas, St Croix and St John. The US Virgin Islands are among the
most beautiful diving areas in the world with coral reefs, crystal
clear water, dramatic drop-offs, underwater caves, shipwrecks, and
a variety of marine life, including the region's famous sea horses.
Along the north shore of St Croix is a fantastic underwater wall
that offers caves, pinnacles and tunnels and opportunities to mix
with deep-sea sharks and eagle rays. Other sites of note are the
1,000ft (305m) drop-off of Salt River Canyon, Frederiksted pier and
the wall at Cane Bay. Between St Thomas and St John the waters of
Pillsbury Sound contain several shipwrecks, and the best dive site
off St Thomas is Cow and Calf Rocks. Snorkellers should head to the
unrivalled Buck Island Reef National Monument off St Croix for
beautiful coral reefs, Magens Bay or the marine sanctuary on St
Thomas, or the coastline of the Virgin Islands National Park on St
John.

St Thomas

St Thomas is the second largest and most
sophisticated of the Virgin Islands with a strong Danish influence
especially evident in Charlotte Amalie, the main town and capital.
Being the most accessible of the islands also means it is the most
heavily developed and visited, with visitors from around the world
attracted by the town's reputation as an international shopping
Mecca. It is also scenically beautiful, with
numerous headlands and coves, forested hills providing stunning
vistas over the Caribbean, and some of the best white-sand beaches
in the Caribbean. Magens Bay beach on the north coast is acclaimed
as one of the finest in the world and the sparkling waters and
coral reef of Coki Bay are superb for snorkelling. Fabulous
panoramas can be viewed from Drake's Seat, a high point in the
centre of the island from where Sir Francis Drake used to watch for
enemy ships. Sports and activities are abundant
on St Thomas. There are snorkelling and dive sites, excellent
greens for golf enthusiasts, sport fishing and yachting
opportunities. The educational Coral World Marine Park and
Observatory provides a unique look at the goings-on of Caribbean
marine life, and the nearby resort town of Red Hook is a smaller
version of Charlotte Amalie, with dining and shopping. It is the
jumping off point to other Caribbean islands and the upmarket beach
resorts nearby. Combining natural beauty with
first-rate amenities, St Thomas offers numerous activities on and
off the water, fine hotels and international
cuisine.

St Croix

Less developed than St Thomas, St Croix is the
largest and most remote of the three inhabited Virgin Islands,
covered in forested hills, fertile lowlands and surrounded by coral
reefs with excellent diving, particularly along the north
coast. Located 40 miles (64km) south of St
Thomas, the island has two main towns, Christiansted on the north
east coast and Frederiksted to the west. Both prospered as
commercial ports during the 18th and 19th centuries. Christiansted
is a lively town offering trips to the tiny Buck Island as a
popular excursion. Frederiksted is smaller and a sleepy place until
the weekly cruise ships arrive for a spree of duty-free shopping.
Both towns contain numerous examples of fine Danish colonial
architecture. The surrounding landscape is scattered with remnants
of sugar plantations, stone windmill towers and ruined houses from
the island's commercial heyday in the sugarcane industry. Whim
Greathouse is an impressive planter's mansion, restored to reflect
its glory days in the 1700s, and is one of the main historical
sights on St Croix. Rum production was another of the island's
primary industries and visitors can visit the Cruzan Rum Distillery
for guided tours and free tastings. The Heritage Trail is a
self-guided trip that links the main sights of interest on the
island. Along with its picturesque beaches and
superb diving, St Croix has a variety of indoor and outdoor
activities, including hiking, historic sights and attractions, golf
and horse riding. There are fine hotels, excellent dining and
casinos.

Airports

St Thomas (Cyril E King) International
Airport (STT)

Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) west of
Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas Island. Time: GMT –4. Contacts: Tel: +1 (340) 774-1629. Transfer to the city: There are buses and taxis available to
transfer passengers to the main towns and resorts. Many hotels also
offer transport. Car rental: There are car rental agencies at the airport
such as Avis and Dependable Car Rental. Departure tax: None.

St Croix (Henry E Rohlsen) International
Airport (STX)

Location: The airport is situated nine miles (14km) south west of
Christiansted on St Croix Island. Time: GMT –4. Contacts: Tel: +1 340 778-1012. Transfer between terminals: There is public transportation to and
from the terminal building. Transfer to the city: There are buses and taxis available to
transfer passengers to the towns and
resorts. Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget and
Hertz. Facilities: Facilities are available for the
disabled. Departure tax: None.

Climate

The islands are hot and humid throughout the
year, with most rain falling between August and October. The
busiest tourist season is from December to May, during the northern
hemisphere winter, and outside of these months rooms are cheaper
and the islands less crowded. Between April and August the waters
are calmer and underwater visibility is best for diving and
snorkelling.

Mangrove diving is mesmerizing. The mangroves of St. John's Hurricane Holein the U.S. Virgin Islands are someof the best in theworld. The water clarity, calmness and diversity of marine life are amazing. This particular mangrove area is protected in that it is part of the U. S. National Parks of St. John